Every Year some half a million pilgrims make their way to the small Norfolk village of Little Walsingham to worship at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham. It was in 1061 the Lady of the Manor of Walsingham, Lady Richeldis de Faverches, had a vision of the Holy Virgin in which she was instructed to build a replica of the Holy House in Nazareth , the house in which the Archangel Gabriel had told Mary that she would be the mother of Christ. The original house was just 13ft by 23ft and made of wood, later to be enclosed in stone.

An Augustinian Priory was established in 1153 to protect the shrine and to provide accommodation for the pilgrims. The Priory which is now in ruins remained a place of pilgrimage until its destruction in 1538 during the reformation.

Pilgrimages to Walsingham was revived in 1922 when the vicar of Walsingham Fr Alfred Hope Patten restored the devotion by placing an image of our Lady in the parish church. In 1931 the image was translated to the newly built Holy House around which the present day Shrine Church was constructed.

St John's Annual Pilgrimage.

2011 was a year of celebration in Walsingham it being the 950 th anniversary of the vision by the Lady of the Manor Richeldis de Faverches of the Holy Virgin.

Our pilgrimage took place between the 23 rd and 25 th September in what turned out to be the start of the autumn heat wave a complete contrast to last years weather. The programme was designed for parochial as well as corporate devotions.

Friday:. Starting here in church with a short service concluding with a blessing and sprinkling, before our departure for the Shrine. In the evening we met in the Barn Chapel for a parish Mass, following which we make our first group visit to the Holy House.

Saturday: During the morning we were able to follow the outdoor Stations of the Cross before offering our personal and parish intercessions in the Holy House. The afternoon was free before participating in the concelebrated pilgrimage mass. After the evening meal we returned to the Shrine Church for the candle lit procession of our lady this service concluding with exposition of the Sacrament. Following this service pilgrims were able to receive the ministry of laying on of hands/or anointing, or to make their confession.

Sunday: In the morning we attended Mass in the Parish Church The afternoon started with the sprinkling at the well. Following this was the procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction and the pilgrimage finished with a corporate last visit.

Pilgrimage is about the whole of our life, the social and spiritual sides of our nature are involved.. Going on ‘pilgrimage' is very different to making a ‘retreat', whether its participating in group or corporate liturgies or enjoying a leisurely stroll to the sea at Wells next the Sea or at the end of the day relaxing over coffee or a glass of wine in the company of our fellow pilgrims.

People come to Walsingham for many different reasons. For some of us it has been a place we have visited over most of our Christian lives. It remains a place for that is both old and new, a place of peace and natural beauty. It is also a place where perhaps we have found the veil between heaven and earth so very thin.

The 2012 pilgrimage will take place between the 28th and 30th September and an initial 15 places have been reserved. The cost: Adults £115.40, Children £69.24 with under 5's Free. Accomadation is on a full board basis commencing with Supper on the 28th and concluding with afternoon tea on the 30th. To this we add a share of the transport costs with those who offer to drive. Reserve your place now with Ray Hotson who is happy to collect payments in instalments as in previous years if you value this option. A deposit of £30 should accompany your booking.

This annual pilgrimage is a great blessing to all who make the journey to pray in that holy place. Have a word with folk who have been before if you are unsure about whether you might value the experience. (Almost everyone does…)